Outstanding female leaders in new-era sustainable Vietnamese education (Part 1)

In addition to reforms in admissions, Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy also focused on enhancing the quality of training and ensuring connectivity across different levels of education. She championed policies that supported curriculum innovation, the application of technology in education, the encouragement of modern teaching methods, the strengthening of international cooperation, and the development of training programmes closely aligned with the practical needs of the labour market.

Under her leadership, Vietnamese universities have made significant strides in improving the quality of student intake, strengthening their training capacities, and working towards a robust higher education system that integrates with global standards.

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With her forward-thinking approach and strategic vision, Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy has played a pivotal role in improving the quality of higher education in Vietnam, opening numerous opportunities for Vietnamese students to access advanced education globally. The reforms she initiated have reshaped the Vietnamese higher education system, laying a solid foundation for future growth.

As an expert at the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences, Dr. Chu Cam Tho not only conducts research on curriculum innovation but is also a pioneer in integrating technology into education. With a desire to modernise teaching methods, she has promoted research focused on innovative approaches to teaching mathematics, enabling students to engage with knowledge in a more natural and effective way.

According to Dr. Chu Cam Tho, digital transformation goes beyond merely shifting teaching methods from face-to-face to online; it demands comprehensive changes in content, teaching techniques, and educational management. Technology serves as a supportive tool in teaching, helping to personalise the learning process by allowing students to access knowledge at their own pace and according to their individual needs.

She also noted that, despite the rapid growth of EdTech businesses in Vietnam, the integration of “technology” and “education” remains somewhat disjointed. In the future, as technology becomes an increasingly powerful support tool, teachers will have more time to focus on interactive activities, fostering higher-level thinking in students. This shift, she believes, will not only enhance the quality of education but also nurture creativity and independent learning in individuals within the digital age.

As the co-founder of Elsa Speak, one of the leading AI applications for improving English pronunciation, Van Dinh Hong Vu has demonstrated how technology can revolutionise language learning. Elsa Speak helps users refine their pronunciation, providing a valuable tool that empowers millions of Vietnamese speakers to communicate more confidently in English.

Under her leadership, Elsa has evolved into one of the world’s foremost pronunciation learning platforms, making a significant impact on Vietnamese education. Through partnerships with schools and training centres, Elsa offers millions of people in Vietnam a more effective, cost-efficient, and flexible approach to learning English.

With a long-term vision, Van Dinh Hong Vu has consistently enhanced Elsa, expanding from pronunciation to encompass broader communication skills. She has created a technological product that is transforming the way foreign languages are taught in Vietnam, helping the younger generation confidently connect with the world.

Ms. Van Dinh Hong Vu stands as a prime example of a young EdTech entrepreneur. What began as her own struggle with pronunciation has evolved into a globally influential tech product. Her work is helping Vietnamese learners improve their English skills and providing millions around the world with access to high-quality language education.

As Chairman of the Board of Directors at Ngoi Sao Hoang Mai School, Teacher Pham Bich Nga has transformed the institution into a centre for nurturing global citizens, where national cultural values are preserved alongside international integration.

Throughout her extensive career in education, Teacher Pham Bich Nga has held steadfast to the belief that teaching is fundamentally about instilling spiritual values and fostering self-confidence in students. The educational philosophy she embraces consistently prioritises the well-being of children, with teachers seen as leaders who guide with love and dedication.

Ms. Pham Bich Nga advocates a humanistic approach to education, where teachers are empathetic figures who understand and nurture the psychological needs of children beyond transmitting knowledge. She stresses that teaching with the love of a mother or father will help children grow intellectually and emotionally.

Her educational philosophy is grounded in core values of sincerity, integrity, care, professionalism, and quality, enabling students to develop both academically and personally.

As the founder of the “Reading with Children” Club, Dr. Nguyen Thuy Anh has introduced a fresh approach to early childhood education. She fosters a love of reading while emphasising the importance of emotional education—an area often overlooked in the Vietnamese education system.

With a deep passion for her work, she has developed soft skills programmes through books, helping children enhance critical thinking, creativity, and self-directed learning. Her reading sessions offer more than just entertainment; they provide children with a deeper understanding of the world, the people around them, and themselves.

Not only does Dr. Nguyen Thuy Anh focus on reading activities, but she has also built a vast “reading ecosystem”, where books serve not just as tools for learning but as bridges that connect children to life itself. Her EcoCamp Summer Camp, one of her most passionate projects, has become a space where children can immerse themselves in reading culture in a way that resonates with them personally.

In addition, she has dedicated significant efforts to developing Vietnamese language teaching programmes for the Vietnamese communities in Poland and Germany, while also organising activities that introduce children to traditional arts such as tuong, cheo, and drama. Her book series Hello Vietnamese has become an invaluable resource for teaching the Vietnamese language to children abroad.

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These women are not merely individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of education; they are also driving systemic change. Their strategic steps towards personalising education, integrating technology into teaching, and establishing practical learning models are reshaping the landscape. Rather than relying on traditional methods, they are innovating proactively, bringing Vietnamese education closer to global standards. These strategies have opened up a wealth of diverse learning opportunities, encouraging students to engage with knowledge in a more flexible, creative, and independent manner.

The future of education rests both in textbooks and also in real-world applicability, technology, and new methodologies. These women are leading the way, ensuring that Vietnamese education evolves in line with international standards.

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